Circular-knitting machine



3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec- 7 1926.

H. E. HOUSEMAN CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 15, 1925 M n 3 W M mt M w s A 7/ 4 A 90 A I W m F W\ ..1fi W J W lkll 7 MW.

Dec. 7 1926.

H. E. HOUSEMAN CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 15, 1925 '3Sheets-Sheet 5 //c zra/a E. House/nan Arron/vans- Patented Dec. 7, 1926.

UNITED STATES 1,609,547 PATENT OFFICE.-

I'IAROLD E. HOUSEMAN, OF WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, ASSIGNOR TO STANDARD-TRUMLP BROTHERS MACHINE COMPANY, OF WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, A CORPORA-TION OF DELAWARE.

CIRCULAR-KNITTING MACHINE.

Application filed January 13, 1925. Serial No. 2,082.

The object of my invention is to provide, for application to a circularknitting machine for knitting stockings, mechanism whereby so-calledlace work may be formed on any desired part of the stocking andparigicularly around theleg and on top of the oot.

An ordinary method of producing lace work is by means of tuck stitching.In plain knitting with latch needles, a needle,

at each rotation ofthe machine, is lifted high enough to enable itslatch to clear the loop formed by such needle in the previous course ofknitting. To form a tuck stitch, the needle, in one or more successivecourses. is not lifted high enough for its latch to clear the loop,which is retained until, on the next course, the latch rises high enoughto clear the plurality of loops that it holds, which loops, on thedescent of the needle, are cast off. Tuck stitching of this charactermay be effected by providing the tuck stitch needles with long latchesthat will not clear the loops when such needles are raised to the sameheight as the needles provided for plain stitching; or by making thelatches of the tuck stitch needles of the same length as the latches ofthe needles that are to do plain knitting and lifting the need es todifferent heights, the tuck stitch needles not rising high enough, onthe tuck stitching courses, to clear the loops. If the tuck stitch;needles are to be raised to variable heights. they are usually providedwith special butts operable by a special cam" or cams controlled byspecial actuating mechanism.

My invention contemplates no different principle of operation ofproducing tuck stitching from that heretofore known, but it exhibitsfeatures of novelty, which may be summarized as follows:' 1) Theprovision of a novel arrangement of regular and special (tuck stitch)needles, comprising all the needles of the front and rear bank,characterized by four sets of needles each having a latch or buttdifferent. with respect to their relative lengths, from those of anyother needle of the set and adapted to be actuated by a single cam. (2)The provision of a single novel cam whose position may be so shifted asto control the actuation of all the needles to produce at will, plainstitching on the front and rear needles, plain stitching on the rear andtuck stitching on' the front, or

tuck stitching on both front and rear. (3) Novel mechanism, between theaattern chain and the special cam, for co-ntro lling the position of thecam. (4) The substitution of the special cam for the regularneedle-lifting cam and the substitution of the patterncontrolledcam-actuating mechanism for the regular pattern-controlled cam-actuatingmechanism; thereby avoiding the provision of a special cam, and specialactuating mechanism therefor, for actuating tuck stitch needles, inaddition to the regular needlelifting cam and cam-actuating mechanism;whereby a distinct simplification in the machine is efiected.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanyingdrawing, in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of a part of the knittingmachine comprising the pattern-controlled mechanismfor actuating theneedleliftng cam, partly broken away.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of thesame, with parts omitted.

Figs. 3 and 3 are detail views of parts of pattern chains, showingdifferent arrange ments of lugs thereon.

Fig. 4 is a face view of the knitting cams, developed.

Fig. 5 is a radial sectional view of the needle-lifting cam, theslide bywhich it is carried and the spring for actuating the slide.

Fig. 6' is an elevation of the different forms of needles.

Fig. '7 is a diagram showing the different heights occupied by thedifferent needles in different positions of the needle-lifting cam, twoof the threeneedles being sl ghtly tilted from their true verticalposition in order to clearly illustrate such different verticalpositions.

Fig. 8 is a diagram of the two banks of needles illustrating one of manypermissible arrangements of regular and tuck stitching needles.

Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating a stocking and the relative positionsof the different sets of needles while knitting the various partsthereof.

The regular needles a of the front bank (which, with needles I), knitthe front of the leg and topiof the foot) may be provided with latchesof normal length, although I nil shall refer to thein as short latchneedles to distinguish them from the long latch needles hereinafterdescribed. The needles a are provided with lone butts.

The special (tuciq stitch) needles 6 of the trout hank are provided withlong latches and with long butts.

The regular needles 0 of the rear bank (which, with needles (Z, ltnitthe rear of the leg, the heel, the bottom of the foot and the too) areprovided with short latches (corresponding in length to the latches ofneedles a) and with butts of medium length.

The special (tuck stitch) needles of the rear haul; are provided withshort latches and with short butts.

The regular set of knitting cams c is shown in Fig. In place of theregular needle lifting cam is substituted a special needle lifting cam7. Cam 7' is provided with two cain surfaces located side by side: one alow surface g that may he flat along the great part of its length; theother a high SlllluCP 7. hat inav have the form ot a luunp or swell.This cam is movable radially (its position being: controlled bypattern-controlled mechanism to be hereinafter described), into threedill'crent positions, which l shall (all its inner, outer and middie orintermediate positions.

\Vhen the cum 7 in its inner position (see Fig. 7), its low surface g isin line ot' travel of the short and medium hutt needles, while its highsurface it extends sutliciertl v far in. ltli iallv, to he engaged bythe long butts o'l needles provided with long butts. Hence, the regularneedles a of the front haul: and the special needles Z) of the fronthank will be li ted to a higher level than the regular needles c of therear bank and the special needles (Z of the rear bank. inasmuch,however, as the needles 0 and (Z have short latches. their latches willhe raised high enough to clear the loops of the previous course: thelatches of needles Z, notwitl standing their greater length, are raisedsuliicicntly high to also clear the loops. Needle u raised substantiallyhigher than is neces .rv for its latches to clear the loops, hut thsetcess degree of lift does no harm.

It will, therefore, he understood that when the cam f is i. ts inneroosition. all the needles will ooera e to aroduce Jlain stitch- 1 ing.as is CLGSETQDlQ or necessary in knitting the welt t of the stocking,and also a short section ;2/ of the foot adjacent the toe. See I, Fig.

When the earn 7" is moved to its outer position, the high surface 71. isnot in line of travel of any of the butts: the low surface is in line oftravel ot lone and me- 1 O u. diuin butts; while tee cam is so tar outthat the short hntt needles ride inside the cam. All the regular needles0! or" the front bank and c of the rear bank, being provided with theshort latches, are raised sul'liciei'itly high to allow their latches toclear the loops. The special needles 6 of the trout hank, althoughraised as high as needles (4 and r. are not raised high enough to enabletheir long latches to clear the loops. The special needles (Z oi therear ha l: are not raised at all, and their latches, also, fail to clearthe loops. Hence needles 6 and (Z operate as tuck stitch needles, andtuck stitching is produced (see ll, Fig. 9) on the trout and rear of theleg; u of the stocking. It will be understood, of course, that duringthe knittingof the leg the cam f will occupy its outer position onlyduring a limited number of courses (say two) and will then be shifted toits inner position for a limited number at courses (say two, six or ten)to allow the special needles to do plain knitting.

Ti hen the cam f is moved to its median position, the high surface it isnot in line of travel 01" any of the butts; but the low surface is inline 0t travel of all the butts. The regular needles (4 and 0 01 the twohanhs and the special needles (1 of the rear haul-z, being all providedwith short latches, are all raised high enough to enable their latchesto clear the loops, and the special needles (Z function, like theregular needles (1 and c, to lllfllie plain stitches; but; the spc cialneedles 7) ol' the front hank, being pro vided with long latches, arenot raised high enough for their latches to clear the loops, and thosenot to tuck stitch. The cain occupies this median position during theknit ting of tie extreme lower part c: of the leg and during theknitting of the foot w (see Ill and V. Fig. 9).

During the knitting of the heel 'w and toe the needles of the front hankare moved up out of action. The cani f in 1 cup; either its inner ornedian p i inner position is shown at 1V and VI, 9), hecau:-.1e ineither position the special needles (Z of the rear hank opeiate to doplain stitching.

ll PHitQTD-COIlllOllGCl mechanism "for inovil the cam into its threespecified positions will now be descrih d.

The main driving shaft 10 or" the machine carries a bevel gear 11 whichengages a bevel gear 12. The sizes of the two gears are-such that ateach rotation of the shaft 10, the'gear 12- turns one quarter of arevolution. The shaft of gear 12 carries an eccentric 13and a collar 3on which may he cured one, two or three cum pieces E E-tl, eachextending ninety degrees around the shaft of gear 12. trio 13. The yokeis carried on an arm 15, whose hub is 'rocltable on a post 16. The hubof reel: arm 15 also carries a pawl arm 17, which is adapted to en. coand turn a till s voke ll embraces the eccenratchet Wheel 18 sleeved onthe shaft 10 and carrying a sprocket wheel 19 for the pattern chain 20.Reference is made to the H. E. Houseman Patent No.-1,364,112, dated January 4', 1921, for a more particular illustration (see Figs. 1 and 3)and description of the means for actuating the pattern chain sprocket19. For the purpose of describing the present invention, it issufiicient to note that the gear wheel 12 makes one complete rotation toevery four courses of knitting,

that the ratchet 18 is actuated once in each complete rotation of gear12, and that at each actuation of the ratchet 17, the pattern chain .12-O1 i:s advanced a distance of one-third of a Secured to the machineframe is a stud 25, to which is pivoted a short arm 26. On this arm ispivoted between its ends a lever 27, opposite ends of which are in lineof travel of the cam pieces 24 and the high lugs 21 and low lugs 22carried by the links of the pattern chain.

The special cam f is carried by a slide i, slidable radially of theknitting head, in guides j, and normally held in its inner position bymeans of a spring is. It is moved out to its median position or to itsouter position by means of a rod 28, which is adjustably secured to theswingable end of the short arm 26.

VWhen one end of lever 27 is opposite a space between lugs of thepattern chain, it is functionless. That is, in this position, theengagement of its other end by cam 24 merely causes lever 27 to berocked on its central pivot, effecting no movement of lever 26.

When lever 27 is opposite a low lug 22 of the pattern chain, theengagement of lever 27 by cam 24 will rock the lever on lug 22 as afulcrum and turn arm 26 so as to pull rod 28 to move cam f to its medianpositio-n.

WVhen lever 27 is moved opposite a high lug 21 of the pattern chain, theengagement of lever 27 by a cam 24 will rock the lever on lug 21 as afulcrum and pull rod 28 to move cam f to its outer position.

As soon as cams 24v travel beyond lever 27, spring A; returns cam f toits inner position.

Bearing in mind, as above stated, that the cams 24 bodily turn abouttheir axis once to every four courses of knitting, it will be understoodthat if there are no lugs on the pattern chain, cams 24 will befunctionless, and cam f will occupy its inner position, dictating plainknitting on all the tuck stitch needles.

If the pattern chain should be provided with a continuous succession oflong lugs, as shown in Fig. 3 then earns 24 will cause cam 'fto be movedinto its outer position and to be held there during two'courses ofknitting. It will then release cam f and allow it to be returned by itsactuating spring into its inner position during two courses of knitting.This will cause the special needles of both the front and rear banks tooperate to tuck stitch, and will produce lace work entirely around thefabric, as in knit-- ting the leg. The optical effect will be that ofcontinuous lace work.

If the pattern chain should be provided, at another part of its length,with a continuous succession of short lugs, as shown in Fig 3*, thencams 24 will move cam 7' int-o its median position and hold it thereduring two courses of knitting and then release cam f and allow itsactuating spring to return it to its inner position during two coursesof knitting. This will cause the special needles of only the front bankto tuck stitch, and will produce lace work, of a continuous effect, onone-half the fabric and plain knitting on the other half of the fabric;as in knitting the foot between the heel and toe.

It will be understood that a fabric may be produced with courses ofcircumferential lace work separated by a variable number of courses ofplain stitching by suitably spacing apart the lugs on the pattern chain.

Bearing in mind that came 24 make one bodily rotation to each ratchetingof the patern chain, and that each ratcheting of the pattern chainadvances the chain a dis tance of one-third of a link, it will beunderstood that if the lugs are so spaced apart, as shown in Fig. 3,that between each two adjacent lugs there is a space equal to the lengthof a lug (that is, two lugs on the end of one link, one lug in themiddle of the next link, and so on), cams 24 will be eifective tooperate cam 7" only at alternate revolutions; so that the specialneedles will op erate as tuck stitch needles for two courses volving alever pivoted between its ends on 7 a normallv stationary pivot, butwhich may swing, on the lugs 21 or 22, or a cam 24, as a fulcrum, toalter the position of its intermediate pivot and thereby actuate theneedle-lifting cam. It will be understood that any known type of patternmechanism may be substituted for the pattern chain.

Where in the claims I speak of a cam adapted to control the verticalpositions of needles, I mean the expression to be broad enough to coverthe maintenance of the short buttneedlesd in a depressed position by themovement of the cam f into its outer position.

. Having now fully described my inven- Inc tion. what I claim and desireto protect by Letters Patent is:

1.111 a circular knitting machine, the combination with twosemi-circnmfcrcntial banks of needles provided with butts and latches,one bank containing ree'v ar needles and tucking; needles di'll'eringrroni each other with respect to length of latch and the other bankcontaining regular needles and tucking needles differing from each otherwith respect to length of butt of a needle-lifting cam adapted to beshirt d into different positions and thereby control the relativevertical positions of the needles to respectively cause one, neither. orboth of the sets of tucking needles to form tuck stitches while theregular needles are form ing plain stitches.

2. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with front and rearbanks of needles provided with latches and butts. each bank comprisingregular needles and tuck stitch needles. the tuck stitch needles of thetwo banks being structurally differentiated from the regular needles andalso structurally differentiated from each other with respect both tolength of butts and length of latches, of a needle-lifting cam adaptedto be moved into three different positions and in said positions torespectively control the relative vertical positions of the i or sets ofneedles so as to cause rcspectively one, both and neither of sa'd setsof tuck stitch needles to lift to the height required to cause them tofunction as regular needles.

3. In a circular knitting machine. the combination with front and rearbanks of needles each comprising regular needles and tuck stitchneedles. the tuck stitch needles of the two banks be ng structurallydifierer-tiated from each other and from the regular needles. of asingle needledifting cam provided with two cam surfaces of different heght and adapted to be moved into a plurality of different positions andin said positions 'to control the relative vertical posi tions of thefour sets of needles so as to cause the two sets of regular needles toeffect plain stitching; and two sets of tuck stitch needles to botheffect plain stitching or tuck stitch nrc or one set to effect plainstitching and the other tuck stitch ng.

4. In a circular knitting machine. the combinat on with two sets ofneedles provided with butt and latches and adapted to knit respectivelythe f ont and back of a stocking. each set of needles containing regularneedles and tuck stitch needles. the tuck stitch needles of the two setsbeing structurally differentiated from the regular needles and alsostructurally differentiated from each other with respect both to lengthof butts and length of latches, the tuck stitch needles operating toclear loops when raised to a given height and to hold loops when notraised to such height, and a single cam provided with two cam surfacesof chiferent heights and movable into a plurality of positions andadapted in such positions to differentially control the verticalpositions of the tuck stitch needles so as to cause one set, both setsor neither set of tuck stitch needles to be lifted to the heightrequired to clear loops.

5. In a circular knitting machine, the :ombination with four sets ofneedles hav ing butts of three different lengths and latches of twodiiferent lengths, of a needle lifting cam adapted to actuate the buttsof all the needles and to be shifted into different positions relativeto said butts to conrol the relative vertical positions of two of saidsets of said needles to respectively cause them both to tuck, both toplain stitch and one to tuck and one to plain stitch.

6. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with twosemi-circumferential banks of needles, one bank comprising reg ularneedles each with a relatively short latch and a relatively long buttand special needles each with a relatively long latch and a relativelylong butt, the other bank comprising regular needles each with arelatively short latch and a butt of medium length and special needleseach with a relatively short latch and a relatively short butt, of aneedle-lifting cam provided with two cam surfaces of diil ercnt heightand movable into three different positions, in one of which the longbutt needles are adapted to ride on the higher surface and the otherneedles on the lower surface. in another of which all the butts areadapted to ride on the lower surface. and in another of which the longand medium butt needles are adapted to ride on the lower surface whileboth surfaces are out of line of travel of the short butt needles.

7. In a circular knitting machine. the combination with different setsof needles and a movable needle-lifting cam adapted in differ cntpositions to control the lifting of the needles of the several sets todifferent rclative heights. of a driving shaft. a second cam, a patternchain. means actuable by the driving shaft to cont nuously rotate thesecond cam and intermittently advance the pattern chain. the patternchain comprising lugs of different heights. a lever one part of which isdirectly operable hv the second cam and another part of which is in lineof movement of the pattern lugs. said lever being swingable on anormallv stationary point but bodily movable away from said point whenconcurrently operated by the second cam and a pattern chain lug, andmeans connecting sait lever with the needle-lifting cam, whereby. whensaid lever is so bodily moved, the needle-lifting cam is moved from anormal position to different distances dependent on the height of thelug With which said lever coacts.

8. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with two sets ofneedles adapted to knit respectively the front and back of a stocking,each set of needles containing tuck stitch needles, a needle-lifting camadapted in different positions to differentially actuate the i'ront andback tuck stitch needles so as to cause respectively one, both andneither of them to form tuck stitches, a driving shaft, a second cam, apattern chain, means actuatable by the driving shaft to continuouslyrotate the second cam and intermittently advance the pattern chain, andmeans concurrently actuatable by the pattern chain and the second cam toshift the needle-lifting 0am to diiierent distances from its normalposition.

In testimony of which invention, I have hereunto set my hand, atPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, on this 30th day of December,

HAROLD E. HOUSEMAN.

